OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE LIMITED IRRIGATION SORGHUM SILAGE PERFORMANCE TRIAL, 2007

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1 OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE LIMITED IRRIGATION SORGHUM SILAGE PERFORMANCE TRIAL, 2007 PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY CROPS OKLAHOMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES & NATURAL RESOURCES OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY PT November 2007 Vol. 19, No.11 Rick Kochenower Area Research and Extension Specialist Plant and Soil Sciences Department Britt Hicks Area Extension Livestock Specialist Northwest District TRIAL OBJECTIVES AND PROCEDURES In the coming years with natural gas prices rising and the possibility of water supplies diminishing, sorghum silage may replace corn silage in the panhandle region. Sorghum requires less water than corn, therefore less irrigation is required. Many seed companies have increased efforts to bring higher quality sorghum silage hybrids to market. Among these are brown mid-rib, photoperiod sensitive, conventional forage sorghums, and sorghum/sudan hybrids. In 2006, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service re-established a sorghum silage performance trial in the Oklahoma panhandle to evaluate sorghum silage with limited irrigation. Limited irrigation has many definitions, the most common being one-half of normal irrigation or less. For the purpose of this trial, eight inches of irrigation was defined as being the maximum to be applied. This trial provides producers, extension educators, industry representatives, and researchers with information on silage sorghum hybrids marketed in Oklahoma. Company or brand name, entry designation, plant characteristics, and maturity information, were provided by the companies (Table 1). Oklahoma State University did not verify this information. Company participation was voluntary, therefore some hybrids marketed in Oklahoma were not included in the test. Limited irrigated test plots were established at the Oklahoma Panhandle Research and Extension Center (OPREC), in Goodwell. Two rows (25 feet long) were seeded at a target population of 50,000 plants/ac for brown mid-rib, and a target of 70,000 plants/ac for all other entries. The lower population for brown midribs may help with lodging associated with these hybrids. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Prior to harvest five-foot alleys were cut to facilitate harvest. Ten feet of one row was hand harvested, weighed and three plants were randomly selected to run through a chipper shredder. Samples where then dried at 65 C until weight was constant for two consecutive days. Maturity was checked periodically to monitor development so plots could be harvested when most entries were between soft and hard dough. Photoperiod sensitive hybrids were harvested on the last date. In 2007 all hybrids were harvested on the same date. Ensilage production is reported as tons/ac adjusted to 65 moisture (Table 2). This is consistent with current ensiling practices. Planting date: June 13, 2007 Harvest date: October 8, 2007 Previous crop: Soybean Soil type: Richfield Clay Loam Soil Test: N: 34 lbs/ac P: 24 K: 868 ph: 8.0 Fertilizer applied: N: 170 lbs/ac P: 40 lbs P 2 O 5 /ac K: 0 Herbicide: Cinch ATZ 2.0 qt/ac (Preemergence) Tillage Strip-till Irrigation: May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept

2 Rainfall: May June July Aug. Sep. Total Data Collected Lodging: scale 1 4; 1-no lodging, 2-less than 25, , 4-greater than 50 Plant population: Plants/ac Yield Lbs/ac of Dry matter and tons/ac of silage The silages were analyzed for the following nutrients and are reported on a dry mater basis in Tables 2 and 3. Crude Protein: The total protein in the sample including true protein and non-protein nitrogen ( Nitrogen X 6.25). NDF (neutral detergent fiber): A measure of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin representing the fibrous bulk of the forage. These three components are classified as cell wall or structural carbohydrates. They give the plant rigidity enabling it to support itself as it grows. Hemicellulose and cellulose can be broken down by microbes in the rumen to provide energy to the animal. NDF is negatively correlated with intake. ADF (acid detergent fiber): A measure of cellulose and lignin. Cellulose varies in digestibility and is negatively influenced by the lignin content. ADF is negatively correlated with overall digestibility. Lignin: Indigestible plant component. Lignin has a negative impact on cellulose digestibility. As lignin content increases, digestibility of cellulose decreases thereby lowering the amount of energy potentially available to the animal. TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients): Denotes the sum of the digestible protein, digestible non-structural carbohydrates (sugars and starch), digestible NDF and 2.25 X the digestible fat. IVTD (In Vitro True Digestibility): An anaerobic fermentation performed in the laboratory to simulate digestion as it occurs in the rumen. Rumen fluid is collected from ruminally cannulated high producing dairy cows consuming a typical total mixed ration. Forage samples are incubated in rumen fluid and buffer for a specified time period at F (body temperature). During this time, the microbial population in the rumen fluid digests the sample as would occur in the rumen. Upon completion, the samples are extracted in neutral detergent solution to leave behind the undigested fibrous residue. The result is a measure of digestibility that can be used to estimate energy. NEl (Net Energy for Lactation): An estimate of the energy value of a feed used for maintenance plus milk production during lactation and for maintenance plus the last two months of gestation for dry, pregnant cows. NEm (Net energy for Maintenance): An estimate of the energy value of a feed used to keep an animal in energy equilibrium, i.e., neither gaining or losing weight. NEg (Net Energy for Gain): An estimate of the energy value of a feed used for body weight gain above that required for maintenance. Results The growing conditions in 2007 were less than ideal with very limited rainfall, therefore two more inches of irrigation was applied when compared to The total rainfall for May through September was 48 of the total for The reduced rainfall and limited irrigation reduced yields when compared to 2006, this is evident by hybrids having higher two-year average yields. Also the total for 2007 can be somewhat misleading in that the 2 inch total in July was received in one event of approximately 45 minutes; therefore much of that rainfall was not effective. Oklahoma State University PT Page 2

3 Yield data for the various hybrids are reported in Table 2. The silage yield in tons per acre is reported along with a yield expressed as lbs of dry matter (DM) per acre (measure of hay production). In addition a yield of digestible DM per acre is reported. This was calculated by multiplying lbs DM/acre and IVTD. The nutrient profiles of the various hybrids are reported in Table 3. Small differences in yield or other parameters should not be overemphasized. Least Significant Differences (L.S.D.) are shown at the bottom of each table. Unless two entries differ by at least the L.S.D. shown, little confidence can be placed in one being superior to another. The coefficient of variability (C.V.) is provided as an estimate of the precision of the data with respect to the mean. The following people have contributed to this report by assisting in crop production, data collection, and publication; Donna George, Lawrence Bohl, Matt LaMar, Craig Chesnut, Tony Mills, and Eddie Pickard. Their efforts are greatly appreciated. Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bob Whitson, Director of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Oklahoma State University PT Page 3

4 Table 1. Characteristics of Sorghum Silage Hybrids in OPREC Performance Trial, Company Brand Name Hybrid Sorghum Type Maturity (days) Male Sterile Brown Mid-rib Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 4Ever Green BMR Forage 180 PS Yes Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. SU-2-LM Sudan 100 No No Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Mega Green Sudan 180 No No Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 38 Special BMR Sudan 100 No Yes Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Millenium BMR Forage 85 No Yes NC+ Hybrids NC+ Nutri-Choice II Forage 90 Fertile No Sorghum Partners Inc Sordan Headless Sorg X Sud NA Photo No Sorghum Partners Inc Trudan Headless BMR Hybrid Sud NA Photo Yes Sorghum Partners Inc NK 300 Hybrid Forage 90 No No Sorghum Partners Inc Trudan Headless Hybrid Sud NA Photo No NC+ Hybrids Nutri-Ton II Forage 90 Fertile no NC+ Hybrids BMR 77F Forage 70 Fertile Yes Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 4Ever Green Forage 180 PS No Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Century BMR Sudan 80 No Yes Oklahoma State University PT Page 4

5 Table 2. Ensilage Yields and and harvest parameters for OPREC Sorghum Silage Performance Trial, Company Brand Name Hybrid Digestible DM DM Yield (lbs/ac) Ensilage Yield (tons/ac) lbs/ac year year year Plant Population plants/ac Harvest Moisture Lodging NC+ Hybrids NC+ Nutri-Choice II 9,000 9,600 11,600 13, , Sorghum Partners Inc NK 300 9,000 9,300 11,700 12, , Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Mega Green 8,200 9,000 11,300 13, , Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. SU-2-LM 8,100 8,300 10,900 11, , Sorghum Partners Inc Sordan Headless 6,900 7,600 9,500 11, , Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 4Ever Green BMR 7,500 7,200 9,700 9, , Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Millenium BMR 5,200 6,800 6,700 8, , Sorghum Partners Inc Trudan Headless BMR 3,700 6,800 4,600 9, , Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 38 Special BMR 4,100 4,800 4,900 6, , NC+ Hybrids Nutri-Ton II 9, , , Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 4Ever Green 6, , , Sorghum Partners Inc Trudan Headless 6, , , NC+ Hybrids BMR 77F 4, , , Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Century BMR 3, , , Mean 6,700 7,700 8,700 10, , C.V L.S.D. 2,100 2,000 2,700 2, , Oklahoma State University PT Page 5

6 Table 3. Ensilage Quality OPREC Sorghum Silage Performance Trial, Company Brand Name Entry Designation Lbs Milk/ ton DM CP* ADF * NDF * Lignin TDN Energy Values *Mcal/lb Lact. Maint. Gain Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 4Ever Green BMR 2, Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. SU-2-LM 2, Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Mega Green 2, Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 38 Special BMR 2, Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Millenium BMR 2, NC+ Hybrids NC+ Nutri-Choice II 2, Sorghum Partners Inc Sordan Headless 2, Sorghum Partners Inc Trudan Headless BMR 2, Sorghum Partners Inc NK 300 2, Sorghum Partners Inc Trudan Headless 2, NC+ Hybrids Nutri-Ton II 2, NC+ Hybrids BMR 77F 2, Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. 4Ever Green 2, Walter Moss Seed Co., Ltd. Century BMR 2, Mean C.V. 2, L.S.D NS Oklahoma State University PT Page 6